Champagne flowed as punters packed into Gosforth Park racecourse to enjoy one of the North’s biggest events of the year.

Women wore their posh frocks while the men looked dapper in their sharp suits. The day proved to be a huge success as the crowds enjoyed hospitality in marquees around the course and racing fans had a flutter.

Fashion conscious Heather Turner, from Hexham, Northumberland, swapped her tracksuit bottoms for a flowing skirt when she joined seven of her fitness-class friends for a day out.

She said: “We all do Zumba together at Hexham and we thought today would be a real treat.

“We haven’t won any money yet but we’re having a fabulous time. Getting dressed up this morning was the best bit, but it took a lot longer than that to get our outfits pulled together.

When it came to flamboyant hats there was no expense spared by some racegoers. Janice Whitmore, from Allenheads, Northumberland, paid £95 to hire her hat adorned with feathers for the day.

“I just absolutely love it,” she said. “I know £95 seems a bit extravagant for one day but that’s what a day at the races is all about.

“It’s been worn at Royal Ascot before so I feel very special wearing it. If I’d really wanted to splash out it would have cost me £3,000 to buy!”

The plate has been running since its beginnings on the Town Moor in 1833. Its success has seen it go on to become recognised as one of the leading horse races in the world.

Northumberland Plate Day 2014 at Newcastle Racecourse

Yesterday’s race reached a climax when the £140,000 John Smith’s Northumberland Plate was run. The main race was won by Angel Gabrial.

Kate Williams, from Washington, Sunderland, opted for a glamorous day at the races with her friends as part of her hen weekend.

The 24-year-old who is due to get married on August 9 said: “We decided to come because we’ve all got horses and we keep them at the same stable yard. I’ve been to the races before but not with all my friends in one big group.

“We’re going to have a flutter on the plate race and just soak up the atmosphere. It’s a really elegant way to spend your hen weekend.”

Scott Wight and his band of merry Scotsmen travelled from Melrose in the Borders to celebrate the 28-year-old’s forthcoming wedding.

The stag party were dressed in tweed suits and fully embraced their affluent surroundings.

Scott, 28, who took a well-earned break from training for for the Rugby Sevens competition at this summer’s Commonwealth Games, said: “I placed a bet on the first race and I won. It’s already been worth the journey down here.”

Northumberland Plate Day is the finale of the three-day Plate Festival.

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